And so you join us again in the land of laziness, liveliness and ladyboys! And oh how we love Thailand! It was great to have Sayaka visit us to give here a proper introduction into what our lives have become over the past 4 months (oh yes, can you believe its been 4 months!). So a very excited me picked her up from the airport on Sunday and within the first few hours of her being in Bangkok she was treated to the sights of frantic Khao San Road with it's roadside bars perfect for viewing the sights of drawling drunkards, rampant ladyboys, parading elephants and sociable street sellers! The following day we embarked on a day of sightseeing, squeezing in the irresistable combination of Bangkok's breathtaking beauty, inspiring temples, delicious food stalls, and asking ourselves why the Thai's are so renowned for their hospitality. For within a few hours we were refused a lift from numourous Tuk Tuk and taxi drivers because we were not prepared to visit any of the thousand of tailor shops that line the cities roads. These taxi drivers make their money from the commission paid by these tailor shops just by getting unsuspecting tourists through the door!! So after much persuasion we made it to our chosen destination; Bangkok's premier hotel; which offers panaramic views of Bangkok's bustling skyline. But no one told us there was a dress code involved! Apparently a playground of Bangkok's rich and famous, the hotel made it their duty to escort us out because we were wearing sandals, shorts, vests, backpacks, basically everything that was forbidden by the hotel!! So we dragged our Pretty Womanesqe, disgruntled arses back to the back packers haven of Khao San Road where the dress code denotes that if your 'not wearing sandals, shorts, vests and backpacks; your not coming in'!! So after a mad day of Bangkok's wonders we headed out for a night out with another guy we hooked up with in Pai (Shun) for lots of gorgeous Thai curries, cocktails and dancing galour!! And without the chance to sleep off our hangovers we made our way down to the island of Ko Samet where we boarded a very glamourous speedboat and far less glamourously clung on for dear life as it pounded its way to a special little beach that was to be our home for the next few nights. It was here that Sayaka was initiated into hut-life with her very own hammock to laze in; although getting her in it was hilarious! (see pictures) And so the next few days we all got well into beachlife again with Thai massage on the beach, swimming in crystal clear waters, sampling seafood BBQ's and the infamous Thai Rum Buckets. We also embarrased ourselves at the karoke sessions and danced the nights away at the pulse-pounding clubs! But before we'd even had the chance to fully adjust to beachside living again, Sayaka had to leave us, so we took ourselves back to Bangkok for some serious bartering and bargaining at the markets so that Sayaka had plenty of crap to carry back for us! (Mum, the package is on its way to you now...!). And so that was the end of Sayaka's holiday and to cheer myself up I embarked upon a day of yet more shopping at the famous Weekend market. (And I hate to tell you this Sayaka but things are even cheaper there than even we'd bargained for!!) James has started his week long Thai massage course in Bangkok (and yes that means lots of practice on yours truely!!) so i'm taking myself and my reading material off to the stunning sand drenched and verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea for 5 days of solitary R&R. Awaiting the arrival of James and yet more of the same!! Still loving it and loving you guys!! Wish you were here...